Here we are, more than halfway through the year. It’s a great time to reflect and to ask ourselves if we have really been following God’s calling for our lives. One of our callings is to ‘fellowship’. The dictionary defines fellowship as “a group of people meeting to pursue a shared interest or aim”. God intended for his Church to be a fellowship - beyond the dictionaries definition. In fact more specifically, a family of brothers and sisters who share God’s ideals and beliefs (Ephesians 2:19-22). The importance of fellowship in our lives is part of the reason that the people of God are asked to ‘consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another...’ Hebrews 10:24-25.

Every Sunday we attend Church to hear God’s messages, give Him praise among other things, but all too often many members leave it there. Some stay for refreshments after Service, some don’t. Some see ‘select members’ of the congregation throughout the week, others wait until next Sunday. Shouldn’t we always be considering ways that we can be with our brothers and sisters in fellowship? Our Church brethren can help us improve ourselves; “as iron sharpens iron, ...one man sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17.

At Streatham Methodist Church the past few months have been packed with activities. We have celebrated our Church Anniversary and members’ birthdays. We have also hosted a Games afternoon for the community and been on a Circuit Church Pilgrimage to Swanage in Dorset. It’s been wonderful to see the Church congregation strengthen their bonds, by having fellowship outside of the usual Sunday Service.

As a Circuit, it is evident that we are beginning to follow this part of God’s calling for our lives. The conversations we have with our spiritual brothers and sisters and the encouragement we share is beneficial, not only to us but to others, and is pleasing to God. So let us continue with our efforts to do this...

You are invited:
Every 2nd Saturday of the month - Men’s Fellowship
Every 2nd Saturday of the month - Women’s Fellowship
Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. - Bible study

Submitted by: Mrs. Naomi Fletcher

JOY AND HAPPINESS

With so many sad and discouraging things happening around the world today, it's not surprising that many people look for happiness and joy in many things and from different people. Some depend on their parents, the government, spouses, partners or friends to make them happy; but these are all mere human agencies. Others turn to alcohol, smoking or take risk by using hard and dangerous drugs.

We all suffer from pain and stress in this fallen and broken world, but can't we at least try to help ourselves by calling and seeking God together with the help of doctors whom God has given the knowledge? I believe we can! We also need self-control, part of the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22-23)

As I read through a book written by a popular woman of God and I quote “Your life is a precious gift from God and it would be tragic if you lived it unhappily. Put the happy habit on your list of habits to make and as you develop it, the sad or mad habits will find no place in your life”. Ask God daily by prayer or singing or just speaking to Him, to open your eyes to see and enjoy the abundant life promised to us (John 10:10).

This change of perspective as to how we look at life, will not be easy, but all things are possible with God. We sing this in a popular song. Let us believe it in our hearts. Having a life worth living does not just happen by chance. It is something we have to choose and determine to do. Let us not wait for a person or circumstance to make us happy. Look around and enjoy God's creation and find joy in the wonder of the moon, sun, stars, beautifully coloured flowers, birds, insects etc. These are all free for us to enjoy. BE HAPPY!!!

If you are able please come and join us at Streatham, to celebrate our Church Anniversary with fun, fellowship and food on Sunday 3rd June after the morning Service.

You are also most welcome to join us in our Church Activities – for more info please contact our Minister:

It seems the year is just flying by. “How can we possibly be a quarter of the way through the year already?” many of us say. As we entered the new year, we were filled with a sense of newness as we made our promises to God in our yearly covenant services. But, as the months have gone on, some of us have already started to grow weary, under the pressures of life.

Attending Church, even when you might not feel like it, is often all you need to re-charge. Just by putting yourself in His presence, you are giving Him a channel to reach you. It is then that He tends to show up with just what you need, at that time. God speaks to us through our reverends, preachers, in fact our entire Church congregation. Often we hear, but fail to really listen!

If we seek him, we will most certainly find him.Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength;They will soar on wings like eagles,They will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not be faint…

Amen

If you are able, please come and join us at Streatham:Every 2nd Saturday of the month - Men’s FellowshipEvery 2nd Saturday of the month - Women's FellowshipWednesdays at 11:00 a.m. - Bible Study

Submitted by: Naomi Fletcher

REFUGEES WELCOME - LAMBETH CITIZENS

On Saturday 21st October we were very privileged to host a special welcome party on behalf of Lambeth Citizens Refugees Welcome group. This group has been working tirelessly with the Council to facilitate the settling of 18 families in Lambeth. Most are from Syria. Recently two families have moved in right near our church in Streatham and we have been getting to know them. It is hard to imagine all the hardship, fear and challenges they have endured over recent years but they now have homes that are safe and they know that their children now have a future.

At the party we welcomed our new families along with those who have been in Lambeth a few months now. There were about 50 refugees present, as well as members of our Church, members of the Refugee Welcome group and a fantastic group of young people who entertained the children. There was food, conversation, laughter and music. At one point the group asked if they could play some of their music from back home over the PA and before long they were dancing and singing along to their familiar songs. One of them told us that it was the first time in 4 years they had been able to dance and listen to music.

We were also joined by two of our local Councillors, Robert Hill and Saleha Jaffer who both spoke warm words of welcome and encouragement.

It was a very heart-warming evening – here in our Church were Christians, Muslims and Jews having a party together and building community. The Kingdom was truly present in our midst.

Rev. Andrew Dart

GREETNGS FROM STREATHAM METHODIST CHURCH

Our Worship, Fellowship and Ministry on this part of the Lord’s vineyard continues under the direction of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the guidance of our Ministerial Team under the leadership of our Ministers.

As we all know our Minister/Superintendent is on Sabbatical from June to August and we hope he will have a blessed and fruitful time of devotion and study. We look forward to welcome him back and his usual inspired leadership within our Circuit.

The Congregation at Streatham have been mourning the lose of two prominent members, Beryl Marchant and Catherine Coker-Jones. The previous issue of this Newsletter has already paid a tribute to th memory of Beryl. Now our sister Catherine Coker-Jones who hailed from Sierra Leone, was over the years, another devoted and dedicated member at Stretaham MC – always cheerful, willing to give her time and talents for the advancement of the Church activities to the extent that even when she fell ill and became wheel chair bound, she still come regularly to Sunday Services. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her familly, her children and grandchildren. Her entire Church family here in Streatham are praying that God will grant her eternal rest and that light perpetual will shine upon her.

One encouraging aspect of our Church life here is our lively Junior Church where the Children & Young People are seen making great progress in their readig and study of God’s word. Evidence of this is their scholarly aptitude in understanding their leaders teachings and sharing what they’ve learned at the end of the Service.

The Birthday walk-up collection – taken during the morning Worship every third Sunday of every month continues to be a feature of our Stewardship/Giving as a ‘Thank You’ to God for the many blessings in our lives. The collection goes into the Building Fund for its maintenance.

Our Church Organist severed his connection with the Church and since then we had been using pre-recirded music accompaniment during Worship but we still wish him the best in God’s name.

Our members participated fully during the Circuit Annual Pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral. It was a time to appreciate beauty, holiness and serenity as reflection in the Cathedral and its environment. We wish all our members and readers a very pleasant summer and a mild winter.

Submitted by: Katie Anthony

IF A MAN'S GIFT IS SERVING, LET HIM SERVE...

It’s been an amazing few months for us at Streatham Methodist Church.

Rev. Andy requested to be re-instated for a further 5 years and after a period of consultation with the Congregations and Church leaders, his term was extended by the Circuit. We are grateful to God that we can continue to experience Rev. Andy’s gift of service to the Methodist Church.

Almost in the same breath, we were reminded of the scripture, Ecclesiastes 3; ‘There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens...’ when we lost a very much loved member of our Church family, Beryl Marchant.

We were extremely blessed to have Beryl. She worshipped with us at Streatham Methodist Church for over 50 years. Her service to God and to our Church over the many years would astound many. Her achievements included her work as Church secretary and relaunching the magazine ‘Stepping Stones’. She was also a Worship Leader and Convener. Her love of literacy led to many blessings for our Congregation including the enlivenment of the liturgy with poems.

Those who knew Beryl will also remember her for the tea parties she organised and the birds she knitted each year, with Easter eggs in tow, to raise funds for the Church.

Beryl continually looked for new ways to serve God, and most importantly, acted on them. The evidence of this sits around us as we attend Service each week. Beryl was a true inspiration to all.

We give God thanks for Beryl’s life, and as we continue on our journeys, let us try to follow Beryl’s example, and look for new ways to serve God, and most importantly, act on them.

Submitted by: Naomi Fletcher

ANOTHER BLESSED YEAR FOR STREATHAM

We had a wonderful 2016 at Streatham Methodist Church, and ended it well with our Carol Service and Junior Church's Nativity, on Sunday the 18th of December.

Not only were the Children’s costumes amazing, but their voices were too! It was lovely to see how much they’d grown - not only physically, but in mind and in their love and knowledge of God. We really felt the presence of God as they read, re-enacted the birth of Jesus, and reminded us of why we really celebrate Christmas.

There’s a lot planned for 2017 at Streatham Methodist Church (including the recently resumed Bible Study sessions every Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Church). Everyone is welcome, and we’d love to see you there!

In closing let me share this Food for Thought from Isaiah 58:11 as we face another year to challenge our Spiritual growth and commitment – ‘Where God guides He provides’.